A former Essendon official has confirmed to Fairfax Media earlier this week that players had been asked to sign waiver forms pertaining to treatment they received.

Essendon CEO Ian Robson, president David Evans and coach James Hird at the press conference. Photo: Wayne Taylor

Former Bomber player Kyle Reimers told Channel Nine "everyone" had signed the waivers and he claimed that the club was aware the supplements were "pushing the boundaries".

"From what they were saying, it was right on the borderline of what they were going to give us," he said.

"Everyone signed it, it was a personal choice as to whether they took it ... it does seem very odd the type of stuff we were taking. They admitted to us it was right on the edge of the levels you could be taking."

Advertisement

Bombers president David Evans, chief executive Ian Robson and coach James Hird faced the media at AFL House to reveal they had approached the league and also to confirm the club would be investigated over the supplements.

The Bombers refused to give details on which players were involved or the nature of the supplements.

‘‘Over the last 48 hours, Essendon have received information about supplements that have been given to our players as part of the fitness program in 2012,’’ club chairman David Evans said.

He distanced himself from questions about performance enhancing drugs, but admitted: ‘‘The information we’ve gathered over the course of the last 24-48 hours is slightly concerning and we want to dig a bit deeper. But we want some experts to help us do that.’’

Coach James Hird said the purpose of the investigation was to clear Essendon of any wrongdoing.

‘‘We want to get this investigation started. We want to get it done. We want to come out with a clean bill of health,’’ he said. ‘‘We want to move on with the footy season.’’

Hird said he believed the players were clean. ‘‘The supplements our players were given, in my opinion and my knowledge, were all approved and within the regulations we all play the game by,’’ he said.

‘‘I’m very disappointed - shocked is probably the best word. I believe we followed processes, we put in place the right sort of processes.

‘‘My understanding is we worked within the framework given to us by the AFL and WADA.‘‘I’m shocked to be sitting here.’’

Essendon said it consulted its staff, then briefed the board before going to the AFL with the information supplements had been given to its players.

Evans met with AFL deputy CEO Gillon McLachlan and head of integrity Brett Clothier to brief them and request an immediate investigation. Essendon then contacted ASADA to request assistance.

‘‘We offered the full cooperation of everyone at the club and ASADA has informed us that they will commence the investigation immediately,’’ said Evans in a statement.

‘‘Of course, this is very distressing for our club (but) we believe as a club that we have done everything to be compliant with the rules and regulations of the AFL and ASADA. But, the integrity of the club is critical.

‘‘That is why we have moved quickly today to call the AFL and ASADA to seek a clean bill of health.’’

A former Essendon official has confirmed to Fairfax Media in recent days that players were asked to sign waiver forms pertaining to treatment they received. Fairfax Media has known for at least a month some players had concerns about the forms.

Former fitness boss Stephen Dank has since left the club.

The AFL made tentative enquiries about the issue last month but the issue appeared to come to a head on Monday when Fairfax Media staff made enquiries with current and former Essendon staff.